Tour Through Time

New York 2012

For almost 4,000 years we have been travelers through time. We have seen many countries come and go, witnessed the birth of countless technologies, lived through countless lifetimes and learned much of them all.

Always before we have felt like visitors, never quite belonging. Not even in our native Babylon. All of these eras enriched us, taught us but none of them was home. At one point in time could we just stay for a while, not looking to the distant future but to our everyday agenda? Could any time and place be large enough for Ahnumannii, interesting enough for the Akkadian, trying enough Tyr and horse-free enough for Timjuradi? If New York city in 2012 is not all of those things it is surely the closest yet.

Just two small problems. First, the rulership of NYC didn’t want us around: our old ally and sometimes foe, Invictus. Second, we can be no place where Ahnumannii does not feel that he must rule.

It was decided Invictus would be invited to our temporary haven in the Waldof Astoria Hotel for a peaceful discussion of terms. Invictus’ safety was assured and yet he did not show up at the meeting. Rather, it was his minion Vastius. A minion with the highest of blood potencies and a list of 4 demands. These 4 demands would later prove very unwise of Invictus as tactics used on younger kindred do not work on the 4 Horsemen. Among these demands: leave North America, father one childe each for Invictus, help Invictus take over South America where the 4 Horsemen would then rule and pay a yearly fifedom of $200 million.

Before these 4 demands were made it was generally agreed that another peaceful solution would be preferable. With the personalities of the 4 Horsemen, Invicitus should have known his demands would result in war. Perhaps that was his intent as the 4 of us did cause havoc in the city upon arrival. We were thrust forward in time and did not understand modern conventions and the idea of staying hidden. While we would adapt, Invictus had no way to know this. It was sad but certain, conflict would ensue.

This conflict began right there in the penthouse suite of the Waldorf. Demands immediately equaled conflict for Timjuradi as he leap forward to slay Vastius. Vastius’ four bodyguards however blocked the way initially and they were instead slain by Timjuradi, Tyr and the Akkadian, allowing Vastius to flee the scene via a unique kindred power: teleportation.

With all cards on the table, it was open war. Invictus had the advantage of home field, knowing the area, having allies cultivated and superior numbers. The 4 Horsemen had the advantage of raw power and the knowledge that they could walk in the sunlight. Invictus did not know this and it affected his strategy.

Akkadian’s will traveled to the abode of Vastius to deliver a list of 4 counter-demands but since Vastius was wise enough to not return to his haven these demands were delivered instead to an underling. The four demands were meant to mock those of Invictus: he would leave North America via daylight coach flight, he would father 4 childer, one for each of the horsemen, he would help the horsemen take over South America and he would pay a yearly fifedom of $200 million. We can only assume the terrified youngling delivered this message.

Needing time to plan, the horsemen met in the Temple of the Baphomet to gather knowledge and devise a strategy. Invictus, it was learned, had tamed the kindred world for the most part and was known as “world ruler”. Vast resources were at his disposal.

Returning to the Waldorf the 4 horsemen found that it was under attack by a group of vicious mercanies. These mercanies had instructions to terminate the horsemen during the daytime while supposedly vulnerable. It seems unlikely Invictus thought the horsemen were unwise enough to sleep at a known location but perhaps it was meant to be a statement.

The horsemen proceeded down the stairs invisibly, passing mercenaries on the way. On the ground floor it was discovered that the hotel staff had been murdered and the doors locked. Probably most of the patrons discovered had been murdered as well and the police paid off (or dominated) to not enter the building.

The horsemen proceeded to the parking garage where the leaders of the mercenaries were discovered. Ahnumannii proceeded to make them “love” him, creating a temporary mode of control. They confessed that their plans were to execute the horsemen and then blow up the entire historic hotel. Historic is a relative term, however.

After considering various options, the horsemen decided to allow them to proceed to blow up the building but with the mercenaries still inside, save for the leaders. These remaining six mercenaries would be divided into two teams to conduct immediate daytime strikes. One would be on the estate of Vastius and the other would be to launch missiles upon one of the elysiums. They would do a stellar job of both operations.

Mass destruction and chaos had arrived in NYC. The chariot had arrived, but figuratively this time.

Akkadian was able to trace the origin of the mercenaries back to the figurehead Prince of NYC. In the guise of Invictus, Akkadian ordered the Prince to investigate mysterious happenings in Bocca Raton, Florida. These of course were false but would help to drain the resources of Invictus somewhat and cause confusion. The Prince was ordered to leave his cell phone and other communication devices behind, presumptively so he could not be “tracked” but in reality so that Invictus could not contact him that way.

Shortly after this encounter, each of the horsemen suffered an attempted mental invasion by a powerful Mekhet known as The Phoenician. While Timjuradi and the Akkadian shrugged off this attack, Ahnumannii and Tyr had information ripped from their minds. Tyr also received a challenge from the World Justicar: Kiki Kitani. Tyr accepted and they would meet for individual combat atop the Empire State.

The other 3 horsemen accompanied Tyr for this battle but did not interfere. Ahnumannii in fact spent his time sight-seeing the city instead of watching the fight.

With lightning speed, Kiki attacked and injured Tyr. She apparently expected this attack to fell him and was shocked when it did not. Tyr struck back and Kiki was destroyed unceremoniously. This was not the end to the Empire State ordeal.

Perhaps unwisely taking the elevator back down, the safety cables were blown and the elevator began a rapid and probably very damaging descent to the bottom. Before that could happen, however, Akkadian transported everyone to the safety of the Temple of the Baphomet.

While at the Temple it was agreed that if this conflict were to end anytime soon, a direct challenge must be made. Invictus and his cronies were just too elusive otherwise and could at some point come up with a plan that did work on some or all of the horsemen.

The horsemen traveled back to NYC at twilight and sat at an outside table of a Starbucks right outside of the remaining elysium. Some time after nightfall when they were convinced they had been spotted, they drove casually to Yankee Stadium and proceeded to wait at second base for the inevitable “ambush”. Invictus did not disappoint, bringing Vastius, The Phoenician, Polemos (the Warbringer) and the nosferatu Mordicai with him. Outnumbered by one, Akkadian summoned in his longtime and loyal follower, Anvar.

Perhaps Invictus thought he had the element of surprise. Perhaps he thought he and his companions were invincible but he clearly did not count on the raw destructive power of Timjuradi. Acting faster than anyone thought possible, Timjuradi charged Polemos and chopped him completely in half in one mighty blow.

Invictus may have been stunned but he didn’t show it as he charged Ahumannii, reigning down a massive blow of his own. Ahnumannii however is not easy to kill and had transported himself several feet over next to Timjuradi, taking no damage from the assault.

Mordicai would wage the first successful portion of battle for Invictus’ allies as he cut Tyr badly and injected him with a vile kindred poison.

Seeing Tyr’s trouble, Akkadian appeared before Mordicai and unleashed a psychic assault of such power as to fell Mordicaid. Tyr then used his unique discipline to transfer the kindred poison into the body of Mordicai and Invictus’ team was suddenly outnumbered. Moreso as Vastius once again fled via teleport, not to be seen again.

The Phoenician, having witnessed Akkadian’s attack, engulfed him in flames. While damaged, the Akkadian could see that the Phoenician was not physically there and thus Ahnumannii was able to dispel is presence entirely.

Finally, Timjuradi, once again on the prowl, sprinted over to Invictus and also cut him down in one mighty blow. Clearly the great of kindred warriors to ever walk the Earth.

Akkadian, knowing that Invictus’ knowledge was priceless, diablerized him in order to gain the knowledge.

Anvar, the master tracker, was sent to find Vastius and the Phoenician, which he did but discovered that they had fled to the astral plane where not even he could pinpoint their location. Will they reappear at some point in the future? A hanging threat to be certain.

With their most powerful obstacle overcome, the horsemen would go on to rule NYC and more. Akkadian, with the knowledge of Invictus and the ability to take his form is able to give orders in his stead and slowly transfer authority to Ahnumannii while taking knowledge and artifacts for the Custos Gnaritas.

With many long term plans having come to fruition and more to come, how much success will the horsemen find in modern day NYC? How long will they stay? Will they survive? Will their machinations be discovered?

The session begins on the outskirts of Rome. After securing camp, they head into the city to discover that a new kindred Triumvirate has formed under the ancient codes of Julius Senex. The new leadership is headed by Victus, marcus abutor, and Vwynn. After some tense discussions about the Pope situation, it is decided Vwynn must die. We will not call it a battle, just an execution as Timjuradi’s ancient blades know only swift death. In a bold move, Isabella Abutor assumes the now vacated chair.

The party then moves to the Vatican, and in some intense political maneuvers, Ahnumanii coerces, bribes, and extorts Giovanni de Medici into position as Pope. After Pope Julius the II dies of a fever, the College of Cardinals convenes. After 3 days, Giovanni emerges as Pope Leo X. With the use of awe and other such powers, Pope Leo overwhelms the masses.

In victory the party marches to the steps of St. Peters Cathedral. And they meet Aeon for the first time. Aeon is the Sentinel of the Imperium, ancient mages that police Archmages. Apparently the Imperium feels that Marduk has interfered with the spectrum of fate all too often, using his 4 horseman to do so. Aeon desires to eradicate the party and imprison Marduk. Marduk comes to the rescue, and instead blasts the party far forward on the time line to New York City circa 2012.

Ahnumanii quickly embraces this age as its prophet, the Akkadian as usual hides and observes from the mask of the current age, Timjuradi slaughters horses, and Tyr attacks helpless kindred. They quickly settle in at the Waldorf Astoria and Ahnumanii takes the building over completely, forcing the manager Mark Jenkins to bow to his will. They throw a Masquerade ball, MC’d by Kanye West with such celebrities as Ben Stiller, Lindsay Lohan, P Diddy, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodrigues, Mike Bloomberg, Mario Cuomo, Tony and Charles Koch, etc. It is a rousing success, and draws out the Prince, Charles Beckett. With a bit of interogation, Prince Charles has a bond. He is controlled by ancient Invictus. The Akkadian finds Invictus in Central Park and invites him to a meeting. He is on his way…

In Florence, the brood has planned a grand Masquerade, and after invitations of spun gold are sent out to the electae of the city, the human Politicians and Patricians arrive first. Our coeterie mingles with them a bit, and quickly notes the tensions between the de Medici’s and the Borgia’s. After the sun sets, Ahnumanii arrives via hot air balloon and bedazzles the party with a fireworks display. The brood travels around meeting the various kindred, and others of great power attending the ball. Only Luvania is not present amongst the Forentine Greats as they are known. The Ball accomplishes its goal and the presence of the party is known. The next day the party meets with Satana Diavolo, a being of great power. In a conflict of mind between the Akkadian and Satana, he discovers the presence of the Grail, forcing action at the Temple of the Baphomet and its inclusion with Marduk and Raziel, ending in its hiding in an aspect realm thousands of years in a future wasteland. Later, they attend an art show at Leonardo’s factrum featuring Leonardo di Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Bottecclli. When Ahnumanii arrives, these 3 great Rosicrucians fall to worship of the Great God Ahn. He rewards them below with the Magnum Opus, the gift of youth granted with a measure of pain. The Akkadian, seeing the fantastical designs of Di Vinci, is impressed and selects him to embrace and training within the Custos Gnaritas. In years to come, he will be the greatest of its members, and his friendship with Plato will steer kindred blood magics and sorceries forever. The party then learns of the Borgia’s plans to overthrow the de Medici’s. They decide to intervene and usurp the Borgia’s from their kindred handlers. Daytime slumber proves the downfall of Roman Castius and his sire Guiseppi Messini. In seperate rooms, these two meet their ends. However, during the conflict, Lorenzo de Medici is overthrown by his brother Piero II. Lorenzo escapes with his cousin Giovanni, and decides the best course of action is to rush Giovanni to Rome and find some way to overthrow Pope Julius II and become Pope, an impossible feat until Ahnumanii shows up with a plan…

Our adventure starts in Toyes, France where the party discovers the moving of the Temple treasures was orchestrated by Victus, now an adamant member of the Custos. Hugh de Champagne and St. Bernard look over the treasures, and it is St. Bernard who discovers that the Spear of Longinus and the Holy Grail are missing. After some probing, the items appear to have been stolen from the Temple. In the hum drum of the activities of Troyes, it seems Jacques de Payan was embraced by a fallen Templar named Phillipe de Chevallier. Phillipe has grand designs of taking over the Templars, after a confrontation, he quickly realizes that he is outmatched and pledges his sword to our companions.

It is now decided to journey to Jerusalem to seek the Spear and Grail. In so doing, they confront the powerful and ancient Kindred named Lazarus. This is one in the same as the friend of Jesus, only it seems Lazarus was embraced prior to the “mystery” of the tomb. Lazarus is found in the same ancient crypt he has always had, where he preaches constantly, and he believes himself a living God. The Akkadian confront him Astrally, and Lazarus calls him out. They finally decide to meet in person in the cave, and a mighty onslaught begins. Only when Timjuradi strikes him down, it seems as though he has transferred into the body of a weak kindred in the room. This affords him the chance to escape. In hot pursuit the Akkadian Obfuscates in front of him, as Tyr strikes him down from the back with the Stormblade. Unfortunately, Tyr is then possessed by the foul Lazarus. At this point, Lazarus tries to play it off like he is Tyr. Yet, as our companions have 3000+ years together, they are not fooled, and the Akkadian unleashes a Psychic Assault in both Tyr and Lazarus. This reveals the location of the real Lazarus, and Timjuradi goes to work digging him up, which leads to the Akkadian diablerizing him. In the diablerie, he learns the location of the Holy Grail, and the truth of Longinus. And thus, the party obtains the Holy Grail. They then take it back to the Teutonic Bastion in Jerusalem, gather a handmaiden, and with a bit of her blood they each drink from it. All of them experience a sort of death and rebirth, their life blood flows again, they breathe, eat, etc. And the beast is destroyed, they can walk the outside in the sun, not burn Vitae, their body will also heal like a human in lieu of blood if need be.

And so they meet Longinus at high noon on top of Mt. Golgotha. They find him to be a kindred of true insight and dedication, and they work together to purge the Larvae and Therion from the caverns below.

After this, Marduk calls a Custos meeting and they decide to let him journey them forward to Florence circa 1492. They are given secret residence at the estates of Feliz de Medici. They then meet with a powerful Ventrue Lord named Niccolo Machiavelli. And so they decide to kick things off with a Masquerade ball of all the important luminaries of the area. Who knows what are kindred have in store for them…

Our adventure starts in Aachen France as the party decides to take out the adversaries left behind by Argentum in the shadow of Carlo’s Palace in the Palace Square. The citizens are rudely awakened as Timjuradi sends the picketed horses flying into the masses. A huge battle then ensues, and once again Tyr finds his life in the balance as Khallus strikes fiercely into this brave warrior. Finally the threat is dispatched.

From there its off to Rome where Ahnumanii witnesses the many machinations of Stephen III that he tries to hang over Charlamegne. Wisely good King Charles has groomed his nephew Adrian to take over for Stephen. The party heads off to visit Adrian in Marseilles only to discover he is a mage. From there, they decide to heed Sutekh’s advice and find slumber in the Temple of Baphomet.

They awaken as Anvar arrives saying that the Gladiators have reformed as the Poor Knights of Jesus Christ at the Temple of Solomon the King, or the Knights Templar. They take the long journey to Jerusalem. From there, they find the Templars ready to leave. After some skirmish with Timjuradi, both sides cool their heads, and journey together. The progress is slowed only by the massive procession of Ahnumanii, his cart, and his several dozen servants. The treasure cart looks laden with ancient goodies. After some time in the desert, the party is accosted by a squad of 50 Saracen outriders. All out combat ensues. With superior fighting tactics, and kindred disciplines, only 3 are lost from the party. After more time, the party encounters what looks to be an abandoned desert fortress. Within, they discover a slumbering pack of Uratha. The Akkadian gets to work and takes a few out while sleeping with his Psychic Assault. After a failed attempt, they awaken, and an underground skirmish takes place. After this, they continue to hit the coast, then hit the waters, and onto safe land they arrive at the city of Troyes France in the Champagen Valley to deliver the treasures.

Our heroes begin by taking some time to accomplish personal goals. After this, they all head to the Al-Masqa-Fir’awn and Tyr and Timjuradi bestow greater levels of blood upon themselves, becoming stronger. From there, Elan speaks of the Therion Bloodline spawned from the union of The Akkadian and Saturn. To Northern Cappadocia they head, only to discover a slumbering hive of potent kindred who slumber. Deciding their presence is unwelcome they leave.

Next they travel to the Valley of the Kings to the small city of Dagesh to inquire into Anubis. They found massive amounts of corpses being brought in, taken South to the Temple of Anubis, and sent into the Underworld for Anubis to make an army of Undead. Learning that the Priest of Anubis in Dagesh is a Hedge Mage named Sahesh, the party lures Anubis into a false meeting. Making their way to him in the Underworld, they provoke his ire and he assaults them, with blazing Fires of Hellstrum he anticipates to kill the party in one blow. He miscalculated and the brood of kindred quickly rip him to shreds. Realizing the opportunity, they march with the Army to the Palace of Sutekh and awaken their ancient God-Maker. They make peace, and then enter into an agreement to not assault the Vatican until tye year 1401 in exchange for power. The party feels they thwart Sutekh once again, only later to realize they are the bringers of the very chaos Sutekh desires.

Next its to Milan in Lombard to meet with old friend Marcus Abutorius and his bride Isabella, who has eyes for Tyr. Marcus has grand designs on King Charles and Europe, but due to past life debts Marcus agrees to leave it alone. King Charles arrives and marries Princess Desederiata. Later that evening Charles holds a secret meeting with our brood and discusses the rumors of King Carlo ressurrecting and the business of his son Carlo II.

The party quickly heads to France to the Villa Samoussy and finds that King Carlo is dead in the Cathedral, and that Lord Cafforan has been killed as well. the Assassins are 2 Byzantine gentleman held in the dungeon for questioning. After some interogation by Ahnumanii and Timjuradi, the party heads to Aachen to confront an old foe, Argentum.

With some swift uses of Auspex Argentum reveals and sets his trap, unfortunately for him in the wrong location. The party enters and finally dispatches this ancient thorn in their side, as well as kidnapping Carlo II, now the King of Eastern Frankland. The party must decide what to do from here as the trap at the Silver Bastion of Aachen awaits…

It did not take the brook long to stir ruccous in new Paris. After learning of the new kindred ruler, Lord Grail of Paris, the party attended a ball for the evening to meet the incoming kindred arriving in the form of Lord Cafforan and Drak-Mohr the Noble. The party attended the ball, and Ahnumanii overwhelmed the audience with his unbelievable blood potency. Unbeknownst to them, a very ancient Khaibit had followed the ancient brood to Paris looking to make a bargain. Marceau would trade vital information in 3 forms that would liberate the party once and for all from the clutches of Sutekh in exchange for retrieving the Mask of Anubis for Marceau. Once again, the situation seemed too big and too dangerous for the brood so they passed on the opportunity. The next day saw King Charles and King Carlo arrive to meet with Count Odo of Paris. At the Feast of Kings, the Vatican presence was strong. Timjuradi, seeing True Faith for the first time went mad and assassinated Bishop Arthia of Lombard. The priests fought back until the foul Timjuradi was expelled. This included young Priest Leopold, having actually witnessed Satan for the first time, will later form his Society of Leopold to battle such evils. King Charles, King Carlo, and Count Odo fled the city in terror, allowing Bishop Magellen to take over Paris.

In the fields, the party caught up with King Carlo and assassinated him, sending his kindred handler Lord Cafforan to flee for his life. The party then met with and bargained with King Charles, who at this point was hunting for both his brother’s and Bishop Arthia’s assassin. The party promised to deliver the culprit, Bishop Magellen. The party did in fact deliver the evil Bishop, and curried favor with King Charles. His kindred handler asked for assistance from the party travelling to Lombard as Charles marries. Drak-Mohr has concerns over the ancient kindred ruler of Milan, one Marcus Abutor, the Corporas Militas of Rome…

Anvar has arrived from the al-asqa Fir’awn Temple to awaken Rhiatt and the rest of the party as they have received news of grave concern that Charlamegne and Carloman are arriving in Paris for a meeting. The concern is that several kindred travel with them, most notably Drak-Mohr (Charlamegne’s puppet master) and Lord Cafforan (Carloman’s master). They also have a retinue of sycophant kindred and the Abba of the Fir’awn has made a decision that it would be prudent to awaken Rhiatt namely for protection and also opportunity.

Some other news of note, the Roman Empire has fallen, and the land has been unified under Vatican Rule (he explains Catholicism and the Vatican). The Persian sands are in unified under the faith of a great man named Muhammed, and the kindred landscape has changed drastically. The Camarilla has fallen, the kindred of Rome disbanded. The lands of the Far East will raid from time to time from the North and new and strange kindred arrive with the marauders. Mages have gone almost completely underground as the Vatican has found a tool that vanquishes almost all who confront it, True Faith. The Uratha have fled to even scarcer places and the population swells and civilization grows.

The party began in Lutetia circa 42BC, and after meeting with the Pagi Maximi it was apparent that the last 2 major obstacles to safety and security were a nasty diablerist named Mahesh the Mekhet, and the Melonwah Monks led by the “God of Death” Ankou. The party did some quick surveilling and found a Nosferatu assisting Mahesh when new kindred arrived. Using his patented “bloody dove” homing beacon, the party confronted the dastardly Mahesh, a member of the Norwegi bloodline with strange powers to make his vitae be used for weapons and armor. After defeating him, Ahnumanii healed him, allowing him to challenge Achaius on 1 on 1 combat. After some brutal exchanges, Achaius was victorious.

Next up was the challenge of the Melinwah Monks and Ankou. The party flew the Golden Sun Chariot back to Rome and made some hard bargains with Saturn to assist as Saturn could consume the soul of Ankou who was in reality a masquerading Daemon. After thoroughly scouring the mind of Rhiatt, Saturn knew the bredth of the situation and agreed to help in exchange for a Mekhet and Gangrel childe to manipulate his ideas for bloodlines. After lurking under the ampitheater of Lutetia, Ankou is tricked into battling the lecherous daemon named Ogmios, the party steps out and raises all hell and finally Ankou is destroyed, Saturn consumes both souls, and is taken back home.

Finally, Clodius and the Pagi Maximi bow down and give themselves over to the rulership of Malikai the Great, and Lutetia finds safety and peace. Castle Achaius is complete, and the party falls into torpor for many years. They are awakend by a Fir’awn messenger named Anvar who tells that that Charlemegne and Carloman are travelling to Paris to make some kind of bargain with the current ruler, and that kindred and war plague these two brothers like no ones business.